A sting targeting nitrous oxide abuse in Los Angeles netted 400 tanks of the inhalant with a street value of about $20 million, authorities said Friday.

André Birotte Jr., the U.S. Attorney for Southern California, had a stern message for those involved in dealing the toxic gas.

Nitrous Crackdown: "No Laughing Matter"

Deputies and federal agents were on the move across Southern California on Friday, serving more than a dozen search warrants as part of Operation No Laughing Matter, a crackdown on those who sell and use nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, as a means to get high. Gordon Tokumatsu reports from Gardena for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on March 22, 2013. (Published Saturday, Mar 23, 2013)

"It is no laughing matter at all," he said. "Children are being harmed. Lives are being destroyed. And children are being sent to the hospital ... and worse case to the morgue."

Federal agents hauled some 80 canisters of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, from a welding shop in LA as part of Operation No Laughing Matter, which included serving more than 20 search warrants Friday.